NI is the worst in UK for broadband connections, says regulator Ofcom

NORTHERN Ireland is the worst part of the UK for decent broadband connections, a report has revealed.

Telecommunications regulator Ofcom found 50,500 premises — around 7.5% of the total — are unable to access sufficient broadband service in Northern Ireland. That is the highest percentage for any part of the UK.

Decent broadband speed across the UK is measured by the Government’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), and is set at a download speed of at least 10Mbit/s and an upload speed of at least 1Mbit/s.

The worst affected council area of Northern Ireland was Fermanagh and Omagh, where 21% of households are still unable to access decent broadband, with 12% of households in Mid-Ulster affected.

Households in Belfast saw the highest rates of access to decent broadband, with just 1.1% excluded from higher speeds.

Although placed at the bottom of the UK’s regions, Northern Ireland is now set for a £150m boost to its broadband network — money secured as part of the DUP’s confidence-and-supply The size of investment NI will be making to boost its

broadband network of households in Omagh

and Fermanagh can’t access decent broadband agreement with the Tory Government.

The Department for the Economy has said “preparation work is underway” on rolling out broadband improvements.

Speaking in the Commons last week, DUP MP for East Belfast Gavin Robinson called on the Prime Minister to ensure upgrades to the network. He noted that with the confidence-and-supply agreement Theresa May had “recognised the need to give Northern Ireland an economic boost”, and pressed Mrs May to ensure progress was made on the issue in time for the autumn budget.